Biography

Rounds is a partner in Fischer Rounds & Associates, an insurance and real estate firm with offices throughout South Dakota. He placed his ownership interest into a blind trust after being elected governor of South Dakota in 2003.[1][2]

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Rounds' academic, professional and political career:[3]

South Dakota balances its budget every single year. The federal government should do the same. Mike supports a balanced budget amendment. The federal government should pass a budget every year. Mike commends the house republicans for at least taking steps to pass a budget. Although he appreciates their effort, Mike's long taken the position that he disagrees with any cuts to Medicare. For that reason, Mike does not currently support the budget plan offered by congressman Ryan, specifically because of the unclear revisions to Medicare.

Deficit / Debt

By law, South Dakota must balance its budget every year. We don’t spend more than we receive and we always live within our means. The federal deficit is approaching $18 trillion dollars and we must reverse this trend before it crushes our economy.

Federal Government Overreach

Pass the REINS Act. There are now more than one million federal regulations impacting Americans and driving up costs. If the Obama regulatory system were a country, it would be the tenth largest economy in the world! We need to get the bureaucracy under control. We need to return to a system of reasonable regulation and defer to local units of government as much as possible. It’s time to take the government back from the bureaucrats.

Keystone Pipeline

Mike supports the Keystone Pipeline.

Energy Independence

Mike believes in a “North American” solution to our dependence on foreign energy. All forms of domestic energy should be pursued. Mike does not believe in higher taxes on energy producers. The President’s current energy policy attacking traditional energy sources will cost the average American family about $140 more per month than they’re currently paying.

Entitlement Reform

Mike believes meaningful and appropriate reforms must take place, if the U.S. is to balance its budget. Current entitlement programs are not solvent and federal deficit spending already threatens our national economy. However, any reforms must also take into consideration current beneficiaries and the long-term economic impact.

Taxes

In South Dakota, “profit” isn’t a dirty word. Mike believes you should be able to keep more of your own paycheck! The federal tax system is a mess. It must be reformed and streamlined. All federal tax rates should be lowered and the base broadened. This approach will encourage job creation and capital investment.

2nd Amendment

Mike is a strong supporter of your second amendment rights. He does not support additional regulations that restrict gun ownership.

Family Values

Mike supports the South Dakota Constitution and the traditional definition of marriage.

Pro-Life

Mike is pro-life.

National Defense

Mike believes the primary responsibility of the federal government is funding and training armed forces adequately to protect our citizens and to secure our borders.

Education

Mike believes in local control of education, and while standards are important, a “one size fits all” directive from the federal government does not serve our children well. Mike will seek to abolish the US Department of Education and defund its budget including the 5000 employees with an average annual salary of $102,000 each.

EB-5

EB-5 is a federal program that allows qualified and approved foreign investors the opportunity to receive United States work visas (not citizenship) if they invest in American companies and create jobs. Applicants must be approved by the Department of Homeland Security before they are granted work visas. In 1990 Congress created the EB-5 program on a bipartisan basis, and since then the program has operated across our country. Federal reports show that more than $600 million has been invested in South Dakota companies and more than 5,000 jobs created. Mike will continue to be transparent, open and honest with anyone looking for answers regarding the operation of the federal EB-5 program. To learn more about Mike's position on the EB-5 program, please read his Op-Ed on the subject.[6]

Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org

Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org

Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org

Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org

2006

Rounds enjoyed high popularity throughout most of his first term as governor. After signing a controversial bill to ban most abortions in early 2006, Rounds' approval rating dropped significantly, but he recovered substantially by summer. Rounds was, therefore, a heavy favorite for re-election.[10][11][12][13]

In 2004, rumors circulated that television personality and former South Dakotan Pat O'Brien was considering a return to his home state to challenge Rounds; however, revelations of personal problems ended speculation about an O'Brien candidacy in 2006. Former state senator Ron Volesky of Huron, a Democrat, had announced his intention to oppose Rounds, but he abandoned his bid on February 22, 2006, citing an inability to raise funds.

Two Democratic candidates emerged to challenge Rounds: Jack Billion, a retired surgeon and former state legislator from Sioux Falls, and Dennis Wiese, the former president of the South Dakota Farmers Union. Billion easily defeated Wiese for the nomination and selected Rapid City school board member Eric Abrahamson as his running mate.[10]

Rounds was re-elected on November 7, 2006. The results were as follows:

Republicans: Mike Rounds and Dennis Daugaard — 61.7 percent

Democrats: Jack Billion and Eric Abrahamson — 36.1 percent

Constitution: Steve Willis and Larry Johnsen — 1.2 percent

Libertarians: Tom Gerber and Betty Rose Ryan — 1.0 percent

2002

Rounds' victory in the 2002 Republican Gubernatorial Primary was one of South Dakota's greatest political upsets. Until late in 2001, then-Congressman John Thune was the front-runner for the nomination. When Thune passed on the race to challenge Senator Tim Johnson, state Attorney General Mark Barnett and former Lt. Governor Steve Kirby quickly became candidates. Rounds declared his candidacy late, in December 2001, and he was outraised and outspent ten-to-one by each of his opponents. However, the contest between Kirby and Barnett soon became very negative and "dirty." As the two front-runners concentrated on each other, Rounds insisted on running a positive campaign and was not attacked by his opponents. Rounds' positive image and extensive knowledge of state government won him many supporters who were alienated by the front-runners. On the day of the primary election, Rounds won a stunning victory, winning 44.3 percent to Barnett's 29.5 percent and Kirby's 26.1 percent.[10]

After winning the Republican nomination, Rounds selected state senator Dennis Daugaard of Dell Rapids to be his running mate. Their Democratic opponents were University of South Dakota President Jim Abbott and his running mate, former state representative Mike Wilson. During the campaign, Abbott, who had been considered the Democratic Party's strongest nominee in years, was hampered by his strategic inability to attack Rounds; any effort to "go negative" would have only reinforced Rounds' positive campaign.[10]

Rounds was elected governor on November 5, 2002. The results were as follows:

Republicans: Mike Rounds and Dennis Daugaard — 56.8 percent

Democrats: Jim Abbott and Mike Wilson — 41.9 percent

Independent: Jim Carlson and Ron Bosch — 0.7 percent

Libertarians: Nathan Barton and Eric Risty — 0.6 percent

Campaign donors

2014

Candidates for Congress were required to file up to seven main reports with the Federal Election Commission during the 2014 elections season. Below are Rounds' reports.[14]

Personal

Rounds, the oldest of eleven children, was born in Huron, South Dakota and has lived in Pierre since he was three. Rounds attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, S.D., where he earned his bachelor of science in political science. While at South Dakota State University, Rounds met his wife, Jean Rounds, formerly of Lake Preston, S.D. They were married in 1978 and have four children.[10] Rounds is a member of St. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Church. He is also a member of numerous service clubs and community organizations, including Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, National Exchange Club, Knights of Columbus and Ducks Unlimited.[2]